LimoLiner

28-Jun-12
Jim M

The Limoliner bus is an interesting transportation alternative from Boston/NYC. Somewhat expensive at $178 for a round trip ride but cheaper then flying or Acela and easier than driving. This was my first trip and I thought you would find my experience helpful. It is not what I expected: buses are poorly maintained, the seats in the back are cramped, and the service is unreliable.

---Framingham to NYC Sunday at 6:30am---

• Bus was on time, driver loaded luggage into storage area. All I needed was photo ID to get onboard.
• Bus holds 28 but only 7-8 people onboard. Lots of empty seats
• My seat back(seat 4a) was bent/broken, moved to second seat(3a), tray was broken. Third seat was the charm.
• Initially internet didn't work. I got the correct password everything was fine(why is a password needed on a moving bus??). Bandwidth was reasonable, usually 3G speeds.
• Went to the restroom where 6 of 7 lights were not working. Mirror area was very dark, too dark to put on makeup.
• Bus was very cold. Was told that the air conditioning thermostat didn't work. The air conditioning was either full on or full off. It was full on for the whole trip.
• We arrived on time.

---NYC to Framingham Sunday 11:15am Return trip---

• While out of the country, and without cell coverage, Limoliner cancelled this bus run. I didn't get the message (they called and emailed on Wednesday that the Sunday bus would not run) so I found myself standing on some random NYC street corner for a bus that never showed up. I talked to Peter the 1:30 bus attendent who said that Limoliner does cancel runs for lack of riders, Bob the bus driver said they never do that and it was a mechanical problem. Not sure who to believe but the decision was made before Wednesday for a Sunday run. Either they drop unproductive runs or they don't have backup buses. Not dependable.

---NYC to Framingham Sunday 6:15pm Return trip---

• Limoliner rescheduled us for a bus at 6:15pm that night, 7 hours later. The bus was full. We were given seats in the back section of the bus(see seat guide below).
• Internet access didn't work, attendent said he was new and didn't know what was wrong. It did start working later. Bandwidth was very slow probably because it was being divided between so many people. Ok for email, but web surfing or audio are questionable. Video is out of the question.
• Bus audio was working but my video screen for row 7 was dead.
• One week later we were on the same bus: the same 6 bathroom lights were out and the AC temperature regulation was still a problem. Very cold!
• We arrived at the parking lot in Framingham on time at 9:55pm. Parking lot is very dark. The small red car next to mine had the drivers window smashed out and the car was ransacked. My advice is to be dropped off & picked up. At least don't let anything of value show in the car.

---Limoliner has assigned seating. When selecting your seat consider this:

• Seating is window-isle-window(3 abreast) except for row 9 which is window-middle-middle-window.
• Seats row 1a,c,d have reduced leg room
• Seats row 2-6 (a,c,d) are the best seats on the bus. lots of leg room.
• Not sure how far row 6 seats recline, they backup against the restroom/galley.
• The restroom and galley are between row 6 and row 7 seats
• Row 7 seats don't recline and are rear facing(you ride backwards). This may be an issue for some people prone to motion sickness. Also you get to stare at the people(strangers?) in seat 8 for the entire trip and vice versa.
• Row 7 & 8 seats share very little leg room, much less then coach on an airplane.
• We couldn't find the 110V power on row 7,8 c&d side. It was on the floor on the 7,8 a side(had to get on hands and knees to use it).
• Avoid the seats from hell in Row 9 a, b, c, d. They don't recline, have no leg room, and are 4 abreast. Seat 9 b has leg room but no tray. Don't know if/where the 110v power is available.
• There is very little room for your stuff(brief case, backpack, purse, etc) at your seat in rows 7,8,9. Overhead space was very limited and full of a lot of bus stuff ??.
• The seats in the back bounce around a lot, probably true for the front as well. Pick the middle of the bus if possible.
• I found my time in the back section very uncomfortable(I am 6'2 tall). If the only seats available are in rows 7,8,9 take another bus.